Comments on: Still-in-the-Red Friday? – Further Thoughts http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/11/still-in-the-red-friday-further-thoughts.html Looking for the 1st century Church in 21st century America Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:37:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Thoughts and Links on Recession and Economic Crisis « Coffee Klatchhttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/11/still-in-the-red-friday-further-thoughts.html#comment-41902 Thoughts and Links on Recession and Economic Crisis « Coffee Klatch Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:16:28 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/11/still-in-the-red-friday-further-thoughts.html#comment-41902 [...] found this post on Cerulean Sanctum entitled Still-in-the-Red Friday? †“ Further Thoughts. This post asked churches and Christians if they were ready for recession and how they were [...] [...] found this post on Cerulean Sanctum entitled Still-in-the-Red Friday? †“ Further Thoughts. This post asked churches and Christians if they were ready for recession and how they were [...]

]]> By: Chooselifehttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/11/still-in-the-red-friday-further-thoughts.html#comment-33056 Chooselife Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:28:19 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/11/still-in-the-red-friday-further-thoughts.html#comment-33056 The situation to me seems to be very complicated and the obstacles to good stewardship myriad. For example, we often complain about churches being locked into mortgages, freezing funds that could otherwise be spent on outreach. However, given the way our financial and economic system is set up, our collective lifestyles and laws, a church cannot do anything but build unless they change their organizational pattern (i.e. home churches). For example, a church may be located in a paid-for building, but if the congregation starts to grow, it may have to move to keep from violating fire codes. And a pastor can only preach so many times a day or run into exhaustion. I previously went to a church where the senior pastor was preaching four times each Sunday, a 7 am, 9:30 and 11 at one location and 8:30 at another location. Now the 7,000-member church is buying a larger space. Moreover, churches are only representations of the collective lifestyles of the members. If the members are used to having large screen tv's and speaker systems at home, will they expect less at church? However, members of a storefront church in a low-income neighborhood will likely have different standards. I think that many churches can and do help but the scale of the problems in the US are so large, they actually transcend our borders. Quite matter of factly, the bible states that during the End Times, the challenges will be so great that God will actually have to shorten the tribulation so as not to risk losing the whole Church! That is very sobering and lets us know that we still to a large extent rely on God's grace. One final thought: A while ago I was reflecting on the Israelites/Jews in the Old Testament and how much of what was written about them was during a period of blessing/obedience and how much was during a time of correction/chastening. It seems to me that God's chosen was actually being chastened for disobedience more than it was being congratulated on its obedience. And the New Testament only covers a very short period (including acts of benevolence in Acts) during all of the Church's 2,000 year history. It seems like since then every generation thought it was going to hell in a handbasket. Just a thought. The situation to me seems to be very complicated and the obstacles to good stewardship myriad. For example, we often complain about churches being locked into mortgages, freezing funds that could otherwise be spent on outreach. However, given the way our financial and economic system is set up, our collective lifestyles and laws, a church cannot do anything but build unless they change their organizational pattern (i.e. home churches). For example, a church may be located in a paid-for building, but if the congregation starts to grow, it may have to move to keep from violating fire codes. And a pastor can only preach so many times a day or run into exhaustion. I previously went to a church where the senior pastor was preaching four times each Sunday, a 7 am, 9:30 and 11 at one location and 8:30 at another location. Now the 7,000-member church is buying a larger space.

Moreover, churches are only representations of the collective lifestyles of the members. If the members are used to having large screen tv’s and speaker systems at home, will they expect less at church? However, members of a storefront church in a low-income neighborhood will likely have different standards.

I think that many churches can and do help but the scale of the problems in the US are so large, they actually transcend our borders. Quite matter of factly, the bible states that during the End Times, the challenges will be so great that God will actually have to shorten the tribulation so as not to risk losing the whole Church! That is very sobering and lets us know that we still to a large extent rely on God’s grace. One final thought: A while ago I was reflecting on the Israelites/Jews in the Old Testament and how much of what was written about them was during a period of blessing/obedience and how much was during a time of correction/chastening. It seems to me that God’s chosen was actually being chastened for disobedience more than it was being congratulated on its obedience. And the New Testament only covers a very short period (including acts of benevolence in Acts) during all of the Church’s 2,000 year history. It seems like since then every generation thought it was going to hell in a handbasket. Just a thought.

]]> By: eliyahhttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/11/still-in-the-red-friday-further-thoughts.html#comment-32816 eliyah Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:54:33 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/11/still-in-the-red-friday-further-thoughts.html#comment-32816 I have a question for you. What do you think it means "in one hour Babylon will fall' ? I am not asking for a response from the carnal mind either...as to say it represents America, Iraq, New York City, ect.... Seriously, what does that mean to you? Yes, Babylon will fall in all, the Harlot will be destroyed, and the overcomers will be seated on the Throne with Christ. I rejoice that the DAY has come for the harlot to be exposed for who she is, for the true BRIDE will be seen and admired in the saints that have shared in the sufferings of the CHRIST, for they will also share in being GLORIFIED with Him. The buildings are on the broad path of destruction, and all those who have ignored the TRUMPET to 'come out of her my people' will go through the fire of refining until all that cannot be shaken remains. My Father's KINGDOM has come, it is His day, and those who have prepared are already taking care of those who have not. This will be how his Bride is recoginized... for out of her abundant store will she bring forth the hidden manna that will feed and nourish (spiritually & physically) all those in the desolate wilderness. I have a question for you.
What do you think it means “in one hour Babylon will fall’ ?
I am not asking for a response from the carnal mind either…as to say it represents America, Iraq, New York City, ect….
Seriously, what does that mean to you?

Yes, Babylon will fall in all, the Harlot will be destroyed, and the overcomers will be seated on the Throne with Christ.

I rejoice that the DAY has come for the harlot to be exposed for who she is, for the true BRIDE will be seen and admired in the saints that have shared in the sufferings of the CHRIST, for they will also share in being GLORIFIED with Him.

The buildings are on the broad path of destruction, and all those who have ignored the TRUMPET to ‘come out of her my people’ will go through the fire of refining until all that cannot be shaken remains.

My Father’s KINGDOM has come, it is His day, and those who have prepared are already taking care of those who have not. This will be how his Bride is recoginized… for out of her abundant store will she bring forth the hidden manna that will feed and nourish (spiritually & physically) all those in the desolate wilderness.

]]>